Headlight for locomotives



No. 6l3,330. Patented Nov. l, I898.

J. H. SLIGH. HEADLIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

(Application filed Sept. 20, 1897.)

(No Mode'b UNITED STATES JAMES H. SLIGH, OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA.

HEADLIGHT FOR LOCCMOTIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,330, dated November 1, 1898.

Application filed September 20, 1897. Serial No. 652,297. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. SLIGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gadsden, in the county of Etowah and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Headlight for Locomotives, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in headlights for locomotives;

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of headlights for locomotives and to provide one which will be posi tively and automatically adjusted to throw the light in the exact direction a locomotive is moving, in order to illuminate the track in front of a train on the sharpest curves as well as along a straight track.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a locomotive provided with a headlight constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the connections between the headlight and the truck on the outside of the front of the boiler or smoke-box. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the connecting devices extending through the front of the boiler or smoke-box. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the manner of pivotally mounting the headlight upon a locomotive.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

1 designates a locomotive-headlight pivotally mounted upon a locomotive in the usual position at the front thereof upon the top of the boiler or front extension thereof and connected with the same by upper and lower plates 2 and 3, which are centrally perforated for the reception of a pivot-bolt 4. One of the plates is provided with a circular groove 5 and the other has a corresponding tongue 6 fitting in the groove, which forms a way for it, and by this construction the pivoted headlight is rendered perfectly steady.

The headlight is positively connected with I the front truck 7 by a lever 8 and a rock-shaft 9 and is controlled by the pivotal movements of the latter, so that it is automatically and positively turned in the direction the locomotive is traveling. The lever 8, which is disposed substantially vertical, is fulcrumed between its ends at 10, its lower end extending through an opening 11 of the platform or frame of the locomotive and arranged in an eye 12 at one side of the truck, in order to provide a loose connection which will oscillate the lever when the truck turns, but which will prevent the up-and-down movement or vibration of the same from afiecting the lever or causing any vibration of the headlight.

The upper end of the lever is connected with a depending arm 13 of the rock-shaft 9, which is journaled in suitable bearings and which is provided with an upwardly-extending L-shaped arm 14, located adjacent to the headlight and connected with the same.

The double connection between the truck and the headlight causes the latter to follow positively and automatically the movements of the front truck, so that the light is always thrown in the direction a locomotive is traveling and will illuminate a track in advance of a train on curves as well as a straight track. The horizontal portion of the rockshaft is supported by a bracket or brace 15; but any suitable bearings may be provided. The connections between the headlight and the truck may be arranged on the exterior of the locomotive, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, or they may extend through the smoke-box, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The invention has the following advantages: The headlight by being positively con- -nected with the truck follows the pivotal movements of the same and is automatically turned in the direction a locomotive is traveling when such direction is changed, and

g the light is thrown upon the track when passing around curves as well as when traveling over a straight road. Also the particular connection between the headlight and the truck prevents the up-and-down movement of the latter from being communicated to the headlight.

The salient feature of the invention resides in the connections between the headlight and the front truck, and I desire it to be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

IVhat I claim is 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a locomotive or analogous motor having a pivotally-mounted front truck, of a pivotally-mounted headlight arranged to swing laterally when the locomotive changes its direction, the substantially vertical lever fulcrumed between its ends and adapted to oscillate, the lower end of the lever being connected to the truck, and means for connecting the upper end of the lever with the headlight, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a locomotive, of a headlight pivotally mounted thereon, a rock-shaft j ournaled on the locomotive and provided with upwardly and downwardly extending arms, the upwardly-extending arm being connected with the headlight, and a lever f ulcrumed between its ends on the locomotive, connected at its upper end with the depending arm of the rock-shaft and having its lower end connected to the truck, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a locomotive, of a headlight pivotally mounted thereon, a horizontal rock-shaft journaled on the locomotive and provided with upwardly and downwardly extending arms, the upwardly-extending arm being connected with and adapted to actuate the headlight, and means for connecting the downwardly-extending arm of the rock-shaft with the front truck of the locomotive, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto alfixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. SLIGH.

Vitnesses:

A. W. W. VODLIPP, W. P. LAY. 

